Interspecific tree named ‘Flavor Treat’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Citation Rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 
     2. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     3. Fruit with an attractive garnet red skin color. 
     4. Relatively uniform size fruit throughout the tree. 
     5. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 
     6. Fruit holding firm on the tree 10 to 14 days after shipping ripe. 
     7. Fruit ripening in the late maturity season.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of interspecifictree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of plums, apricot, and interspecifics whichare known to us, and mentioned herein are, Mariposa Plum (U.S. PlantPat. No. 111), Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), Flaming GoldApricot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,822), Flavor Supreme Interspecific (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 6,763), Citation Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5,112) and Flavor Gem Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,915).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct interspecific tree consists of the combination ofPrunus persica, Prunus armeniaca, and Prunus salicina. It was developedby us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as afirst generation cross between two seedlings with field identificationnumbers 82EG355 and 324LF168. (These non-patented seedlings weredeveloped and selected by us for future parents in our ongoing breedingprogram). The maternal parent (82EG355) originated from the crossing oftwo seedlings. The first seedling originated by crossing Mariposa Plum(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 111) with a plumcot, then selecting a seedling fromthis cross and crossing it with another plumcot, both plumcot selectionsoriginated from crossing Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) withan apricot of unknown parentage. The second seedling originated fromcrossing a plum of unknown parentage with a plumcot having parentage ofRed Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) crossed with an apricot ofunknown parentage; a seedling was selected from this parentage andcrossed with a seedling peach cot, which was selected from a cross ofFlaming Gold Apricot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,822) with a peach of unknownparentage.

The paternal parent 324LF168 originated from a cross of two seedlings.The first seedling originated from an apricot of unknown parentagecrossed with a plumcot seedling with the parentage of Red Beaut Plum(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) crossed with an apricot of unknownparentage. The second seedling originated as an open pollinated seedlingfrom Flavor Supreme Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,763).

We planted and maintained a large group of these interspecific crosseson their own root system. In September of 1995, we removed a bud stickfrom the most vigorous seedlings and budded these to Citation Rootstock(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112). It was from these budded trees that werecognized the outstanding fruit characteristics of the present varietyand selected it for commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to Citation Rootstock, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112) astandard rootstock for plums and interspecifics in California, asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct interspecific tree consists of thefollowing crosses for the maternal parent[(Plum×Plumcot)×(Plumcot)×(Plum×Plumcot)×Peach Cot)] and the paternalcrosses are [(Cot×Plumcot)×Interspecific Flavor Supreme]. The new treeis of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a productive and regularbearer of large, firm, clingstone fruit, maturing in the late maturityseason. The fruit is further characterized by being relatively uniformin size throughout the tree, having firm flesh with good storage andshipping quality, having a good balance between acid and sugar. Theflavor and eating quality being very good with an average Brix of 19.6°.In comparison to the fruit of the late maturing Flavor Gem Interspecific(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,915), the fruit is more round in shape, isclingstone instead of freestone, and is approximately 3 weeks later inmaturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshown flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 5 year old specimens budded on Citation Rootstock (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 5,112) and grown near Modesto, Calif., with colorterminology (except those in common terms) in accordance with ReinholdColor Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.—Large. Pruned 10 to 12 feet in height and width for economicalharvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. New growth of 5 to 6 feet in height the first growingseason. Varies with type of soil, fertility and cultural practices.

Growth.—Upright. Crotch angle approximately 30°. As tree matures, heavyproduction tends to spread width of tree.

Branching habit.—Upright. Spreading of tree and crotch angle increaseswith weight of fruit.

Productivity.—Productive. Sets 1½ to several times the amount of fruitdesired for marketable size fruit. Varies with climatic conditionsduring bloom time, thinning and spacing of fruit is necessary.

Bearer.—Has set heavy crop for 4 consecutive years. No alternate bearingobserved.

Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollenizer necessary.

Density.—Medium dense. Usually pruned to vase shape to increase theamount of sunlight to center of tree, improve fruit color, brix andhealth of fruitwood.

Hardiness.—Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chillingrequirement is approximately 750 hours at or below 45° F. Hardy for allstone fruit growing areas of California.

Trunk:

Size.—Large. Average circumference of 16 inches when measured at aheight of 12 inches above ground on 5 year old trees.

Stocky.—Medium stocky.

Surface.—Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree.

Color.—Varies from brown to tobacco brown (5-D-3) to (5-F-6).

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Average circumference 8 inches, when measured at a heightof 38 inches above ground. Crotch angle — approximately 30°.

Surface texture.—Varies from smooth on new growth to medium rough onolder growth; roughness increases with age of branches.

Lenticels.—Medium size. Average length {fraction (3/32)} inch. Averagewidth {fraction (1/32)} inch. Size increases as branch grows larger.Average number of 42 in a 4 square inch surface. Color varies fromPompeian yellow to brownish yellow (5-C-6) to (5-C-7).

Color.—First years growth exposed to sunlight brownish orange (6-C-5),in shaded areas grayish green (1-D-6). Mature growth light brown tobrown (5-D-7) to (5-E-5), varies with age of growth.

Leaves:

Size.—Medium. Average length 3{fraction (37/64)} inches. Average width1{fraction (43/64)} inches.

Form.—Oblanceolate.

Margin.—Serrulate.

Thickness.—Thin to medium.

Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly indented overleaf veins. Glabrous. Lower surface relatively smooth, small ridgescreated by midrib and pinnate venation. Glabrous.

Petiole.—Average length — {fraction (27/64)} inch. Average width —{fraction (1/16)} inch. Color — light green to light yellow green(30-B-6) to (30-C-6).

Glands.—Globose. Number varies from 0 to 2, average number 1. Size —small, average length {fraction (1/32)} inch. Color — reddish brown(9-D-7). Location — on upper portion of petiole and base of leaf blade.

Color.—Upper surface — green to dark green (29-F-6) to (29-F-7). Lowersurface — grayish green to dull green (29-E-4) to (29-E-5).

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Flower buds:

Size.—Small to medium. Average length — {fraction (19/64)} inch. Averagewidth — {fraction (11/64)} inch. Four days before opening.

Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.

Form.—Plump, conical, becomes more elongated as bud matures.

Color.—White (2-A-1).

Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 4 to 14. Average number 7.

Flowers:

Size.—Medium. Average height {fraction (29/64)} inch. Average width{fraction (47/64)} inch.

Petal.—Shape — elliptical, narrows at point of attachment. Usually 5 perflower, alternately arranged to sepals. Average length — {fraction(25/64)} inch. Average width — {fraction (9/32)} inch. Color — white(1-A-1). Surface of outer edge varies from smooth to slightly scalloped.Color — white (2-A-1).

Sepals.—Size — medium, alternately arranged to petals. Number — 5.Average length — {fraction (7/64)} inch. Average width of base {fraction(5/64)} inch. Color varies from light yellowish green on upper surface(29-A-8), to yellowish green (29-B-8) on lower surface. Both surfacesglabrous.

Stamens.—Number varies from 34 to 40 per flower. Average number 37.Average length ⅜ inch. Filament color — white (1-A-1). Anther color —dark yellow (4-A-8).

Pollen.—Present, pollen sacs large and full. Color — pale yellow tolight yellow (3-A-3) to (3-A-5).

Pollenizer.—Self-sterile, needs pollenizer.

Pistil.—Normally one. Average length {fraction (21/64)} inch. Color —yellowish white (2-A-2). Stigma positioned approximately {fraction(1/16)} inch below anthers. Surface — glabrous.

Fragrance.—Slight.

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 27, 2000. Date of Petal FallMar. 9, 2000. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—White (2-A-1).

Number of flowers per bud.—Varies from 1 to 3. Average number — 2.

Pedicel.—Color — olive green (2-E-7). Average length — {fraction(15/64)} inch. Average width — {fraction (3/32)} inch.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.—Sep. 6, 2000.

Date of last picking.—Sep. 11, 2000. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Large. Relatively uniform throughout the tree. Average diameteraxially 2½ to 2¾ inches. Average transversely in suture plane 2¾ to 2⅞inches. Average weight 210 grams. Average weight varies slightly withfertility of the soil, amount of thinning and climatic conditions.

Form.—Globose. Relatively uniform.

Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth, very slightly lipped.

Apex.—Nearly rounded, varies from slightly retuse to rounded.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth — ⅜inch. Average breadth — ⅝ inch.

Stem:

Size.—Average length ⅝ inch. Average diameter ⅛ inch, enlarged at pointof fruit attachment.

Color.—Light green to linden green (2-C-4) to (2-C-5).

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Firm, meaty.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Firmness.—Firm, having good handling and shipping quality.

Aroma.—Slight.

Amydgalin.—None.

Eating quality.—Very good.

Flavor.—Very good, sweet, mild, good balance between acid and sugar.

Juice.—Juicy, enhances flavor and eating quality.

Brix.—Average Brix 19.6°. Varies slightly with amount of fruit per treeand climatic conditions.

Color.—Light yellow to yellow (4-A-4) to (4-A-6). Pit cavity — grayishorange to brownish orange (5-C-6) to (5-D-6).

Skin:

Color.—Butter yellow to maize yellow (4-A-5) to (4-A-6) ground color.Overspread with garnet red to dark maroon (11-E-8) to (11-F-8). Verysmall, randomly spaced areas of ground color showing, giving a specklingpattern.

Thickness.—Medium, tenacious to the flesh.

Texture.—Smooth, not associated with acidity or bitterness.

Bloom.—Moderate.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Astringency.—Lacking.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Small. Average length ⅞ inch. Average width ⅝ inch. Averagethickness ⅜ inch.

Form.—Obovoid.

Base.—Straight.

Apex.—Acuminate. Length — short, small, approximately {fraction (3/32)}inch in length.

Sides.—Equal.

Surface.—Irregularly pitted throughout with very small pits, randomlyspaced. One long groove running from base to apex on each side ofsuture. One long, low, narrow ridge from base to apex, usually on oneside of stone, a few stones have one on both sides. Very small, shortridges running from base toward apex, approximately ¼ distance of stone.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—Light brown to dark blond (5-C-4) to (5-D-4) when dry.

Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage (38-42° F.) for twoweeks without internal breakdown or loss of flavor or eating quality.

Shipping quality: In picking and packing trials minimal bruising offlesh or skin scarring was observed.

Disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing for relativeplant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been designed. Underclose observation during planting, growing, and harvesting of fruit,under normal cultural and growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., noparticular plant/fruit disease resistance or susceptibility has beenobserved. Any variety or selection observed during normal indexing orplant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial, virus or insectsusceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous upright growth and being a productive and regular bearerof large, clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality; thefruit is further characterized by having firm flesh with good storageand shipping quality and in comparison to the fruit of the Flavor GemInterspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,915), the fruit of the new varietyis larger in size, clingstone instead of freestone and is approximatelythree weeks later in maturity.